Renaissance (club)

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Renaissance is one of the longest running electronic dance music scenes in the in the world. Started by Geoff Oakes in Mansfield, UK in 1991, the club became famous for its high standards of visual production and the best DJs in the world. In 1995 Renaissance put on their first international show at Womb in Tokyo. Other international dates soon followed, and in 2007 Renaissance hosted over 150 shows in more than 25 countries around the world. The Renaissance monthly residency at the Cross nightclub in London is one of the longest running continuous club nights in the world, and ended in November 2007 when the venue closed permanently to make way for new development. They are known for their use of classical imagery in their packaging and advertising.^[1]

Renaissance is also renowned for their special shows in stately homes and castles, including Shugborough Hall, Allerton Castle, and several others around the UK. In late June 2007 Renaissance hosted "Wild in the Country" at historic Knebworth House in Hertfordshire. The event featured the only summer appearance in the UK of the iconic eletronic band Underworld, as well as a lengthy DJ set by Sasha and John Digweed. Other major artists on the line up included band Hot Chip, Francois K, and Ricardo Villalobos.

Renaissance has also been resident during the summer season in Ibiza for more than 10 years, and has played on the Spanish island in venues such as Pacha, Privilege, and Amnesia.

Renaissance has an associated record label which has featured releases from artists such as John Digweed, Sasha, Dave Seaman, Hernan Cattaneo, David Morales, Faithless, Satoshi Tomiie, James Zabiela and BT.

Sasha and John Digweed met while resident DJs at Renaissance.

Two years into their Renaissance residencies, they produced their first mix album, Renaissance - The Mix Collection Volume 1 which was released on the club's label 1993. This 3CD set became the first mix compilation to achieve gold record status.